Scooter Board Activities on Neck Control and Dysphagia in Children With Cerebral Palsy

NCT06477224 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/23/0787
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study is a randomized control trial exploring the therapeutic effects of scooter board activities on neck control and dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Part of a Master of Science in Physical Therapy program, the research focuses on innovative uses of scooter boards-flat, wheeled platforms that allow children to propel themselves while lying or sitting. This activity is hypothesized to improve neck stability and swallowing functions, which are crucial for posture, movement, and reducing health risks such as malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. The trial will employ validated tools like the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS), Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment (SOMA), and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) to assess changes in participants. Conducted over six months at facilities including Rehab Care, Rich Care, and Royal College Hospital, it will involve 22 children, aged 6-10, diagnosed with spastic CP and exhibiting symptoms of dysphagia. The outcomes of this research could revolutionize therapeutic practices by providing a playful, engaging approach to therapy that enhances both motor and social skills.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Keywords

Cerebral Palsy (CP); Dysphagia; Neck Muscles; Scooter Board Activities; Pediatric Physical Therapy; Motor Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)

  The GMFM will help quantify the extent of improvement in neck control among participants, determining the effectiveness of the scooter board activities compared to routine physical therapy. This measure is crucial as effective neck control is fundamental for posture, movement, and various daily activities, thereby impacting the quality of life and functional independence of children with cerebral palsy. Total the scores from each category. The maximum possible score will depend on the number of categories included and the scoring range for each. A higher overall score generally indicates better oral motor functioning. Low scores in specific areas may indicate the need for targeted intervention.

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Scooter Board Activities

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive treatment involving scooter board activities, which are hypothesized to improve neck control and alleviate symptoms of dysphagia.

Other: Scooter Board Activities

Routine Physical Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive conventional physical therapy treatments, which serve as the control group for comparing the effectiveness of the scooter board activities.

Other: Routine Physical Therapy

Interventions

Scooter Board Activities OTHER

Participants in this arm engage in scooter board activities designed to improve neck control and address dysphagia. These activities include moving the scooter board in various directions using their hands or feet, maneuvering through obstacle courses, and engaging in playful tasks that require reaching or turning, which can enhance neck muscle strength and stability.

Scooter Board Activities

Routine Physical Therapy OTHER

Participants in this arm receive traditional physical therapy interventions, which might include range-of-motion exercises, muscle strengthening, stretching exercises, and postural control activities. These exercises are aimed at improving overall motor function, with a focus on neck stability and control. Standard physical therapy equipment such as therapy balls, balance boards, and resistance bands may also be used.

Routine Physical Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Age: Participants must be between 6 to 10 years old.
• Diagnosis: Must be diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy.
• Symptoms of Dysphagia: Must exhibit symptoms of dysphagia, as confirmed by clinical assessment.
• Ability to Follow Instructions: Must be able to follow simple instructions to participate in the therapeutic activities effectively.

You may not qualify if:

• Severe Cognitive or Sensory Impairments: Children with severe cognitive or sensory impairments that prevent participation in the intervention are excluded. This is to ensure that participants can engage effectively in the therapy sessions and follow the instructions required for the scooter board activities and assessments.
• Previous Neck Muscle Strengthening Interventions: Children who have previously undergone specific interventions aimed at strengthening neck muscles are excluded to maintain a baseline uniformity among participants. This criterion helps in assessing the pure effect of the scooter board activities without interference from prior similar treatments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Related Publications (3)

• Oskoui M, Coutinho F, Dykeman J, Jette N, Pringsheim T. An update on the prevalence of cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013 Jun;55(6):509-19. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12080. Epub 2013 Jan 24.

  PMID: 23346889 BACKGROUND

• Graham HK, Rosenbaum P, Paneth N, Dan B, Lin JP, Damiano DL, Becher JG, Gaebler-Spira D, Colver A, Reddihough DS, Crompton KE, Lieber RL. Cerebral palsy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Jan 7;2:15082. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.82.

  PMID: 27188686 BACKGROUND

• Benfer KA, Weir KA, Bell KL, Ware RS, Davies PSW, Boyd RN. Oropharyngeal Dysphagia and Cerebral Palsy. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec;140(6):e20170731. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-0731.

  PMID: 29167377 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Deglutition Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Pharyngeal Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Study Officials

• Arnab Altaf, PP-DPT

  Riphah International University Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, Phd

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants will get separate treatment protocols and possible efforts will be put to mask the both group about the treatment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: It will be Randomized control trial in which Purposive sampling technique will be used. Two groups of 6-10 age will be formed in which participants will be randomly divided. Group A will only receives the experimental treatment, which in this case involves scooter board activities designed to improve neck control and potentially alleviate dysphagia symptoms and group B will receives conventional care, which typically involves standard physical therapy practices, serving as a baseline to evaluate the effects of the experimental treatment.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2024
• First Posted: June 27, 2024
• Study Start: June 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 20, 2024
• Study Completion: July 25, 2024
• Last Updated: June 27, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share